Laserfiche WebLink
applicant on the proposed expansion site. A copy of the ACDP is attached to the application <br />(Exhibit 1). The ACDP requires that the LRAPA-approved Fugitive Dust Control Program be <br />followed at the existing company site. The expansion area shall be added to the ACDP and the <br />Fugitive Dust Control Program shall be implemented on the proposed expansion area. We find <br />that the activities proposed for the expansion area will become subject to the current LRAPA <br />ACDP. (See Exhibit 1, Exhibit G) <br /> <br />Bridgewater recommends additional dust control measures and those measures are listed below <br />in these findings. <br /> <br />Opponents of the application testified that they believe that the applicant cannot minimize dust <br />conflicts from the proposed mining with nearby residential land uses and believe that the <br />aggregate extraction process (mining) creates significant conflicting amounts of dust. They cite <br />past examples of fugitive dust and complaints to LRAPA (Exhibits 63, Knepler, and 65, <br />DuPriest, as examples). <br /> <br />We find that potential dust conflicts have been demonstrated to result primarily from three <br />activities associated with mining and processing of aggregate material. Those activities are 1) <br />excavation of the site for aggregate material, 2) transport of the excavated material to the <br />processing facility and 3) the processing facility (rock crushing operations). <br /> <br />We find that the current ACDP includes provisions that regulate the manner in which those <br />activities occur on the existing Delta facility site but that the applicant has failed to provide <br />sufficient evidence that these regulations will control production of airborne particulate matter at <br />a level that meets LRAPA (and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality) standards, <br />particularly at point of excavation. <br /> <br />Furthermore, we find, based upon testimony provided in the testimony that particulate matter <br />that may be harmful to nearby residents and other urban uses are not readily visible to the eye, <br />cannot be effectively regulated based on visual inspection, and may not be visible in videos <br />submitted as testimony (e.g., Exhibit 267). Testimony indicated that harmful dusts may be <br />created at the point of excavation; that is, at the areas that will be closest to sensitive receptors <br />(e.g., residents and future schools). Evidence in the record also showed substantial winds from <br />the north, northnortheast, eastsoutheast, east, southsoutheast, and south could substantially affect <br />nearby land uses (for example: Exhibit 33b, Concerned Santa Clara Citizens, including reports <br />by Camille Marie Sears and Stephen Kimberley, MD, Exhibit 65, DuPriest, and Exhibit 267, <br />DVD of site conditions). <br /> <br />The applicant provided testimony in the form of a DVD (Exhibit 267) of the current extraction <br />process on the existing mining site, intended to show that the process of mining does not produce <br />dust. The DVD showed that the mining of the existing (wet) wall produces virtually no visible <br />dust; however the amount and location of naturally occurring wetness along the exaction wall <br />may be modified by the proposed aquaclude. The DVD also showed that the haul roads, <br />although watered as required by the LRAPA ACDP, were also naturally wet, but that condition <br />may also change because of the aquaclude. Therefore, the visual display of existing conditions is <br />not a convincing indicator of future conditions after the aquaclude is installed. <br /> <br />We note that the applicant has testified that the processing facility (the rock crusher and <br />associated facilities) will remain at its current LRAPA-regulated location and will not produce <br />finished aggregate material in excess of its current LRAPA ACDP-mandated levels. The <br />location of the processing facility and its production level is regulated by the ACDP. The <br />applicant has testified that the location of that facility and its production levels will not change as <br />a result of approval of this application, yet, in answer to questions at a public hearing, the <br />applicants also indicated that the production was somewhat flexible and reacted to demand <br />(Exhibit 1, application, and Exhibit 33b, Concerned Santa Clara Citizens, including reports by <br />Camille Marie Sears and Stephen Kimberley, MD.; Exhibit 51, Lane Regional Air Pollution <br />Ordinance - 20 <br /> <br />